Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 2, Page 19

Nathan couldn't wait to see Dee. She had been so busy getting ready for the engagement dinner, and the Christmas plans that Pastor Joseph had just added to her responsibilities. He ran to catch up with the three ladies. "Dee, wait!" Nathan called.

"Nathan, there you are!" she said as she stopped and turned around waiting for him.

"You are a sight for sore eyes!" Nathan told her as he grabbed her tightly and gave her a kiss that sunk into her tender lips.

"Oh, my sweetheart, you are quite a handsome kisser!" Dee grinned.

"Are you able to eat dinner with us tonight?" Nathan asked. "I think Emily has your favorite, spaetzle dumplings with her beef." As usual you could smell Emily's cooking when approaching Nathan's home.

"You are tempting me. I won't be able to fit in my dress," Dee laughed, "but I can't resist."

As they walked inside, "Dee, glad you are joining us. Allie already set the table to include you." Emily motioned to the table.

"Aw, Ma you are a dear," he said as he kissed her on her cheek.

"Ya well, you need to wash your hands, I smell Newton, not Nathan." Emily scolded.

"Now Ma, Dee didn't complain." he laughed as he was washing his hands.

Allie came downstairs with Karen and asked if she could stay for dinner. "It's all right with me, if Karen's parents agree." Nathan said.

"Grab another setting," Emily said. "Karen, you can run and ask now."

As they all sat around the table holding hands, Nathan said grace and handed Dee the spaetzle.

"I can't believe the engagement party is almost here!" Allie said. "I asked Karen to come with me as my guest."

"It sounds like fun. I just hope my mom can fix my dress up." Karen spoke up.

"You'll look pretty no matter what," Dee assured her. "Maybe Faith can fix your hair up when she does Allies."

"Yea, that's a great idea Karen!" Allie giggled.

"When you're done, you both can wear some of my cologne too!" Dee offered, as the girls raised their eyebrows in excitement grinning at each other.

Emily just smiled as she listened to all the girl talk and remembering what it was like when she was their age. Sweet memories came flooding back. She watched how her son Nathan, now a tall, handsome, goodhearted man was stirring up the sweet feelings of love and romance in his beautiful, sweet, kind fiancé. Now the memories became bountiful. She found herself thinking of her courtship with Archie and how he swept her off her feet. How they too couldn't bear to be apart, not even for a few hours. The wedding, the honeymoon, the children, all of it was her wonderful world with Archie, until. I forgave him, she reminder herself. It's not easy, but I must remember this.

The laughter brought her back to reality. "What?" she asked.

"Please pass the meat Ma." Nathan repeated.

"Sure, sure," Emily mumbled.

"Emily, we can pick up our dresses now." Dee told her excitedly.

"Ya? Oh my, you'll be so pretty!" Emily remarked.

"I know she will!" Nathan winked. "But, you will too Ma!"

Finished with dinner, the young girls cleared off the table and helped with the dishes. Emily cut slices of German chocolate cake for everyone, served with a cup of coffee. "Let me know what you think. I'm taking a cake to Minnie's tomorrow and I haven't made this in awhile."

"Yummy!" the girls cheered.

"Let's enjoy the evening with a little song shall we?" Nathan offered. "Allie go up and grab your guitar."

Allie and Nathan tuned up their guitars. Everyone gathered by the fireplace and started to announce a song they wanted to sing. Even Ella and Ginger curled up on the rug and joined them. The fire snapped and crackled while casting flickers of light around the room. Dee and Nathan sat side by side their eyes shining brightly. Song and laughter filled the air. The heartwarming night ended with their favorite song, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart."